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NEWSLETTERMARCH 2011

A STORY OFPARTNERING& INNOVATIONBy Bob Johnson

Many years ago, I left the University of

NSW to start a small business offering

whiz-bang mathematical data processing

to help mining companies with their

exploration for coal and minerals. I had

received an undergraduate scholarshipfrom the Joint Coal Board and wanted to

contribute something back to the industry.

Utah Development Company was then

developing the large open cut coal mines

in the Bowen Basin. To their credit, senior

mine planners gave me some geophysical

data to play with. I processed it, producing

results that were interesting but of little

consequence. However, I did receive my

first income in four months.

A few weeks later Utah gave me anotherchance. Their coal exploration in the Lake

Phillipson area of South Australia had

amassed about 200 hand written field logs

and some coal assays. There was nothing

I could do immediately, they said, until the

plans were drawn up. The drafting would

take about six months. I could then get

the data from the plans and process it.

I couldnt wait that long for my next job. I

had an old plot buried in my briefcase - a

stratigraphic column drawn on a Calcomp

pen plotter. I flattened it out on the desk

and they jumped on it.

You can do that on a computer? they

exclaimed. Intrigued that what I had

almost forgotten was valuable to my

customers, I left with a few of the hand

written logs. I said it would be easy - it

would only take a few days!

I had learned that I must talk to

customers to find out their true needs.

I would be able to feed my family and Utah

would get a faster and better outcome

than conventional drafting methods - a

win-win situation.

I dusted off ideas from my doctorate andcreated the first borehole database system

and borehole cross-section plotting

program. Stratigraphic sections were

automatically generated at any desired

scale, showing different lithologies and

formation codes. I even added their logo,

title block and all the finishing elements a

drafting office would provide.

I returned to the Utah mine planners as

promised and rolled out the section. I left

with a commission to set up the database

and generate sections and contour plansfor the entire deposit. They estimated

saving on a year of effort. We moved on

to do extensive work for Queenslands

Bowen Basin mines. The rest is history.

Computer based modelling had proved

profitable, but as a service company we

were limited by the number of hours in a

day. When computer technology caught

up anyone could own a PC.

Maptek was started up in 1981 to write

software that would allow customers

to do the modelling themselves.

Utahs input kickstarted innovations

that would have come about eventually.

However, this way was far more effective,

leading to mutual satisfaction and long-

term partnerships.

Maptek still provides software and services

to those Bowen Basin mines, which BMA

acquired in 1990.

The memory of those early days drives

me to keep listening to customers to

identify how we can help. Mines want

lower operating costs and people want

job satisfaction. Mapteks Vulcan softwarehas evolved through close interaction with

users to ensure practical outcomes.

Likewise, a job with the Defence Science

Technology Organisation in Adelaide led

to our I-Site system. We recognised the

potential of laser scanning technology and

then collaborated with our customers.

The result was a highly efficient system for

rapid, safe and accurate surveying. Mine

surveyors around the world have pooled

their experience to help create the industry

standard for 3D laser mapping.

Of course, when I left academia in

1976, such concepts were beyond

our realisation. From those first ideas,

quantum leaps have followed.

Maptek remains committed to innovation.

Seeing customers successfully using our

products in their daily tasks encourages

us to continue to push the boundaries.

Together we can achieve better outcomes

for the mining industry.


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MAPTEKFORGE

MARCH2011

VULCAN 8.1New modules

Short Term Planner

> Analyse open pit scheduling scenarios

> Create 3D period regions automatically

> Extract required information directly from

block models

> All variables in block models can be

used for cutoffs

> Reporting and statistics integrated with

other Vulcan tools

Stope Optimiser

> Assess multiple scenarios to target

mineable zones

> Apply to very steep orebodies or

horizontal benches

> Use for open pit or horizontal

underground designs

> Analyse and compare stopes

> Generate triangulations for design,

reserves and scheduling

Upgraded functionality

> Underground ramp unfolding for easier

grade analysis and plotting

> Determine fuel consumption when

evaluating different haulage routes

> Store and manipulate more information

in design data

> Draw legends in multiple planes

> Click on 3D data to link to externalapplications

> Easier digitising with hot key tracking

> Improved survey station management

Improved performance

> Multi-threading reduces time required

to run optimisations by up to 99%

> Optimised run length compositing results

in better resource determination

> Access acQuire managed databases

faster

Streamlined display

> Redesigned interface for generating

bench & batter projections

> Geotechnical utilities include tadpole

and stickplot display options

> New grade control display toolbar for

faster, easier viewing

Integration with third party programs

> Share 3D data in documents and web

using VRML and Ngrain formats

> Better support for AutoCAD files with

large amounts of design data

For more information on new functionality

and improvements in Vulcan 8.1, visit

www.maptek.com/vulcan8.1

VULCAN ININDONESIAMaptek has engaged a local

representative to promote

Vulcan in Indonesia.

PT Globecon Indonesia will sell Vulcan to

the local mining market, as well as offertechnical support, training and consulting

for Vulcan users from its offices in Jakarta

and Balikpapan.

PT Globecon technical staff, who are

trained in Vulcan and experienced in

delivering quality services, will work with

Maptek staff to ensure the highest quality

outcomes for Indonesian customers.

PT Globecon was established in 1995

and its team of expatriate and Indonesian

professionals provides expertise of

international excellence.

Indonesian mining has matured into a

professional and skilled industry, where

technical adaptation is readily accepted,

especially in embracing the latest and

best in mining software, says Roy Vogler,

President of PT Globecon Indonesia.

Maptek is excited about the opportunities

that this agreement will open up, and

recognises the benefit in being able

to deliver better services to existing

Indonesian Vulcan users, as well as

providing Indonesian miners with world

class technical solutions, said Peter

Johnson, General Manager, Australia.

To arrange a demonstration of Vulcan

contact [email protected]

visit the website at www.globecon.co.id


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SCANNING

THE PILBARAAtlas Iron has realised the

benefits of using the Maptek

I-Site

8800 laser scanner toacquire detailed topographic

data for new mining projects

in the Pilbara.

Atlas Iron is committed to the exploration

and development of iron ore projects

throughout Western Australia. As a

producer of iron ore, Atlas Iron has an

extensive portfolio of projects which

cover an area of over 15,000 km2in

the northeast Pilbara, Newman area

and midwest of Western Australia.

The company has recently extended its

footprint around Newman and will target

large scale orebodies in the southeast

Pilbara as it looks to grow its resource and

reserve base. Two key operations in this

expansion are Mount Dove and Wodgina.

The I-Site 8800 laser scanner was

commissioned by Atlas to provide up-to-

date, detailed surface topography data of

these two emerging mining operations.

Existing aerial survey data from the 1960s

was neither detailed nor reliable enoughfor Atlas Iron to use in mining preparations.

I-Site Sales and Technical Consultant,

Luke Holdcroft and Atlas Iron Senior

Surveyor, Gary Johnson were able to

capture all the data needed from both

sites in two days. All of the data and

3D models were available to Atlas

immediately, something that is simply

not possible with conventional methods

such as aerial or GPS surveying.

Surveying at Mount Dove involved

scanning almost 600,000 m2of

undulating terrain. The portability of

the I-Site 8800 laser scanner was

greatly appreciated, especially when

climbing the summit of Mount Dove.

At the Wodgina operation, 13 scans of the

area and surrounding hills were captured.

With mining already underway at

Wodgina, we wanted accurate

topographic data of the operation to

assist with future mine development

and planning, Gary explained.

Maptek provided us with an effective

solution to acquire and process spatial

data. It was safe, cost effective and

unparalleled in accuracy.

In less than 4 hours at Mount Dove we

observed 21 million points. Capturing this

number of points would take 210,000

hours with conventional equipment which

generally rates at 100 points/hour.

Triangulations, contour files and gridded

point files at 1 metre and 5 metre spacings

were modelled from the scan data of the

two areas. This data can now be exported

to Maptek Vulcansoftware for further

geotechnical analysis and mine planning.

The spatial data acquired using the

I-Site 8800 laser scanner has providedAtlas Iron with a sound foundation for

mine development. Atlas Iron now has

topographic data of the area with points

every 1 metre. When you consider

that the only data the company had

before undertaking this work was points

every 20 metres, the benefit is clear.

Thanks to

Gary Johnson, Senior Surveyor

Atlas Iron

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MAPTEKFORGE

MARCH2011

01

04

01Modelled topographic data for Mount Dove

02 Atlas Iron and Maptek personnel with the

I-Site 8800 laser scanner at Wodgina

03 Scanning at Wodgina

04Model of Wodgina mining area

02

03

MAPTEK PROVIDED US WITH AN EFFICIENT SOLUTION

TO ACQUIRE AND PROCESS SPATIAL DATA. IT WAS SAFE,

COST EFFECTIVE AND UNPARALLELED IN ACCURACY.

Gary Johnson, Atlas Iron


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Vulcan was rapidly redeployed from

exploration projects to a primary role

in mine planning and daily production.

Copper ore is won using a leachingprocess, and copper cement comprising

75% copper is delivered to the Adchem

plant in Burra.

Vulcan Explorer was used to validate

historic drill data from different eras with

recent data and Maptek I-Sitesurvey

data. The Vulcan GeoModeller with Pit

Optimiser has been added to handle mine

planning requirements.

With these tools Phoenix Copper can

efficiently and effectively complete in-house resource estimations, optimisations

and pit designs for each of the copper

deposits.

Phoenix Copper uses Vulcan on site and

in the Adelaide head office on a daily basis

for everything from site layouts, grade

control, drainage planning, drill planning,

interpreting, section plotting, to block

modelling and pit optimisation/design.

Were a company with four JORC-

compliant resources and up to four other

pods with significant mineralisation. Vulcan

gives us the flexibility to be running these

eight projects at once, said Mark Manly,

Chief Geologist.

We can easily swap from the pit

optimisation for one project to the drilling

plans for another, he added.

In July 2010 Phoenix Copper engaged

Maptek to survey the Leigh Creek mining

leases with the I-Site 3D laser scanner.

This provided up-to-date data for the heap

leach pads and a detailed topography of

the existing and future mining areas.

Triangulations were imported into Vulcan

to ensure an accurate surface is used

as the basis for future mine designs.

Stockpile volumes were calculated,

providing an accurate record of the

companys holdings.

Using Vulcan has allowed Phoenix Copper

to move to a position where mineralisation

can be defined with confidence.

Thanks to

Mark Manly, Chief Geologist

Phoenix Copper

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MARCH2011

MAPTEKFORGE

Pit, orebody and block model slice of the

Rosmann East pit which is in full production

ONCE WE SEE ALL THE DATA IN THE ONE BLOCK MODEL WE HAVE A CLEAR 3D

PICTURE OF OUR OVERALL POSITION. THIS ALLOWS US TO PLAN OUR NEXT MOVE.

Mark Manly, Phoenix Copper

Leigh Creek Copper leach pad and processing facilitiesCopper ore

Topography contours on I-Site survey of Leigh

Creek mining leases


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INVESTING INTRAININGNewmont geologists from

Ghana are spending eight

weeks in Mapteks Edinburghoffice for comprehensive

Vulcan training.

Newmont is investing heavily in Ghanas

gold resources, and has the Ahafo mine

currently operating.

Vulcan has been chosen by Newmont

as the geological modelling and mine

planning solution for several projects in

Ghana. Maptek provides training and

support to Newmont mines.

Senior geologist Emmanuel Trebi and

geologists Samuel Obeng and Johnny

Sam Donkor will undertake two weeks of

intensive training in Vulcan 3D geological

and block modelling. This will be followed

by six weeks focusing on the creation of

detailed geological models.

The geologists will take their new skills

back to their colleagues on site. The

investment will continue to pay dividends

as knowledge is passed on to other

Newmont staff.

The key to a successful mine plan lies

in an accurate geological model if you

dont get it right now, you are bound to

make a lot of corrections later. A good

model can only come from good training,

commented Shadrach Abeku Ainoo,

District Exploration Manager, Newmont

Ghana Gold Ltd.

E-LEARNINGINITIATIVEA commitment to training and

education sees Maptek develop

E-learning courses for Vulcan.A pilot course is being developed in

partnership with the South Australian

Chamber of Mines and Energy. The

initiative will bring together different

learning methods in an accessible format.

Lisa Jeffery, Manager of the Geoscientist

Assistance Program, said, The Maptek

training provides young geoscience

graduates with an invaluable insight into

the exciting and endless possibilities of

3D visualisation and modelling tools.

SCANNERTRAININGMaptek I-Site experts from

Australia recently trained Leica

Geosystems staff from aroundthe world in the new system.

The I-Site 8800 long range laser scanner

has proved its value to open pit operations

since Maptek launched it last year.

The Leica HDS8800 is produced under an

OEM agreement with Maptek to bolster

Leicas long range survey products.

Leica staff received three days of intensive

training in preparation for sales. They

learnt to operate the hardware, use the

I-Site Studio software and apply the newtechniques in real situations.

Jason Richards, Laser Scanning Sales &

Technical Services Manager commented

that the long range scanner virtually

sells itself - Leica will be instrumental in

promoting its value in their market.

[L-R] Sergey Kotelnikov, HDS Product Manager,

Russia, Qisan Duan, HDS Sales Engineer, China

and Julian Norton, HDS Business Manager,

Heerbrugg, with the HDS8800 in Switzerland

Newmonts Johnny Sam Donkor, Samuel Obeng

and Emmanuel Trebi are using the intensive

training to improve their Vulcan skills

Graduate students undertake Vulcan training in

Adelaide under the trial E-learning program

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MAPTEKFORGE

JUNE2010

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MAPTEKFORGE

KFORGE

MARCH20110


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LOOKING TOTHE FUTUREMaptek is sponsoring a new

mining engineering scholarship

at the University of Adelaide inSouth Australia.

The scholarship will fund a full years study

for a final year student with a keen interest

in the application of computers in mining.

Mining engineering students already use

Maptek Vulcan software for their final year

project, with a Maptek award for the best

mine design.

We pioneered 3D modelling software

for mining applications and put it in the

hands of the geologists and engineers whoneeded it, said Maptek Chairman and

Founder Bob Johnson.

We want to ensure that future generations

of mining professionals benefit from using

the best technology.

Maptek has strong ties with research and

education sectors through our operations

in the US, UK and South America.

The Centre of Mining at the Pontifical

Catholic University of Chile, one of Chiles

oldest universities, is incorporating Vulcan

in mine design and mine planning courses.

Students gain deeper understanding of

the mining process by using real data for

design work.

The University of Adelaide scholarship is

just one of several initiatives that will help

celebrate Mapteks 30 years in business.

Follow our website for regular updates

about activities and projects to mark this

milestone www.maptek.com/30_years

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MAPTEKFORGE

MARCH2011

USERS CONFERENCES 2011

AUSTRALIA4-6 April, Western Australia

Places are filling fast for the Australian

users conference. Interesting keynote

addresses will introduce the theme of

Partnering for Innovation and Success.

Case studies and customer presentations

will highlight the applications and benefits

of technology to various operations.

Topics and product launches will populate

the 3-day program, including:

> Productive Grade Control for Iron Ore

> Vulcan 8.1 and Beyond

> Pre- and Post-Blast Survey using I-Site> Underground Stope Optimiser

> Mine Control for Sustainable Success

> Advances in Stratigraphic Modelling

> Assessing Potash Grade

> Coal Resource Classification

Networking will take place in a relaxed

resort environment. Attendees will enjoy

welcome cocktails, a gourmet poolside

barbecue and a conference dinner.

Its not too late to register! Visitwww.maptek.com/australia_2011

or email [email protected]

EUROPE-AFRICA4-7 September, Scotland

The Europe and Africa Users Conference

is shaping up to be as successful as last

years counterpart in the Big 5 game park

in South Africa.

The conference will be held in Atholl

Palace in Perthshire, against the backdrop

of the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland gave rise to some great

innovations which have impacted on the

success of the mining industry - James

Hutton (modern geology), James Watt

(steam engine) and John Boyd Dunlop

(pneumatic tyre) to name a few.

Innovators must overcome obstacles in

the quest to perfect and commercialise

inventions. Building on their foundation

sees everyone share in the success.

The conference theme of Innovation

will allow us to review what Maptek has

contributed to the mining industry over

the last 30 years.

As we look to the future we will explore

new and innovative solutions to the

challenges facing the industry today.

Visit www.maptek.com/europe_2011

South America - 2000

Mexico - 2005 South Africa - 2010

North America - 1992

PAST USERS CONFERENCES


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Maptek Forge newsletter is published quarterly. You can receive it by mail,

emailed pdf or emailed link to the Maptek website.

Email [email protected] to subscribe or advise changes to contact details.

Bob Johnson Image on front cover courtesy of Solstice Media.

Articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement.

Maptek, Vulcan, I-Site and MineSuite are registered and unregistered trademarks

of Maptek Pty Ltd; Maptek Computacin Chile Ltda; Maptek Computacin Chile

Ltda, Sucursal Per; Maptek S de RL de CV; Maptek Informtica do Brasil Ltda;

and KRJA Systems, Inc. Marks are registered in one or more of the following

countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Greece, India, Indonesia,

Mexico, Per, Russia, Spain, the Republic of South Africa, UK and USA.

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MAPTEKFORGE

MARCH2011

www.maptek.com

VULCAN

AMPHOS21,which has offices in Chile and

Spain, has acquired Vulcan for consulting.

ANCAP Portland cement division in Uruguay

will use Vulcan and the Pit Optimiser for

geological and mine design applications.

BANNERMAN RESOURCES is usingVulcan for mine modelling and mine design

in its office in Perth, Western Australia.

BRENNAND CIMENTOS,a cement

producer based in Brazil, will use Vulcan for

geological modelling and mine design.

CARABELLA RESOURCESin Queensland,

Australia will apply Vulcan to coal exploration

and development projects in the Bowen,

Mulgildie, Clarence-Morton and Eromanga

Basins.

CEMENTOS LIMA,the largest and most

important cement manufacturer in Per,

will use Vulcan for geological modelling

and mine design.

ENERGIA SANTANDER ANDINA,a coal

company based in Bogota, Colombia, will

use Vulcan for geological modelling.

ESSAR STEEL will use Vulcan for geological

modelling of the open pit iron ore operation

located in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA.

MINERA LUMINA COPPER will use Vulcan

for geological and geotechnical applications

at the Caserones copper and molybdenumproject in Chile.

MINERA SANTA RITA owns and operates

the El Chanate open pit gold mine in Sonora,

Mexico, and will use Vulcan for modelling,

resource estimation and Chronos scheduling.

MINMAP GEOLOGICAL SERVICES

will use Vulcan for 3D capture of open pit

geology mapping and drillhole data, and for

creating 3D structural geological models for

geotechnical studies and pit slope designs.

NEW ERA PETROLEUM,which applies

special extraction technology to recover

stranded oil from its operation in Sheridan,

Wyoming, USA, has purchased Vulcan for

geological modelling.

NEW PACIFIC METALS,based in

Vancouver, BC, Canada, will use Vulcan for

geological modelling of its underground gold

mine and pit optimisation on other projects.

RIO ALTO S.A.C. has acquired Vulcan for

geology and mine design, and Chronos

scheduling for the La Arena gold-copper

project in central north Per.

SALVA RESOURCES will use Vulcan for

geological modelling and mine designfor exploration, mining and investment

companies from its headquarters in

Brisbane, Queensland.

SANDFIRE RESOURCES is using Vulcan

for geological modelling of the world-class

DeGrussa copper-gold project, 900 km

northeast of Perth, Western Australia.

TWIN METALS MINNESOTA LLC,one of

the worlds largest copper-nickel-platinum

resources, has purchased Vulcan for its

underground operations.

VALE VGB,which operates Vales ironore projects, has purchased Vulcan for

geological applications, specifically ore

modelling and geostatistics.

I-SITE

ANGLO CAPCOALLake Lindsay mine has

purchased an I-Site 8800 laser scanning

system and mobile vehicle mount for end-

of-month surveys and geological mapping.

Lake Lindsay is 250 km inland from the port

of Mackay, Queensland, Australia.

BEMAX MINERAL RESOURCES

has purchased an I-Site 8800 laser scanning

system for the Gingko mineral sands mine in

the Murray Basin, 220 km from Broken Hill in

New South Wales. The scanner and vehicle

mount system will help streamline site survey.

BHP BILLITON Cerro Colorado Mine,

perched in the Atacama Desert of Chile at

an altitude of 2,600 metres, has purchased

an I-Site 8800 scanner for stockpile volume

control as well as geotechnical analysis.

CARDNO SPECTRUM SURVEYis now

a preferred provider for I-Site 8800 laser

scanning services in Western Australia.

Cardno specialises in surveying and mapping

for infrastructure, mining, exploration and

land development.

DOWNER EDI CONTRACTORShas

purchased an I-Site 8800 laser scanning

system and vehicle mount for the Goonyella

Riverside mine, 190 km west of Mackay.The main applications will be end-of-month

surveys, stockpiles and highwall mapping.

KUMBA RESOURCES has purchased an

I-Site 8800 laser scanner for end-of-month

survey, as well as for detection of movement

in the open pit Thabazimbi iron ore mine in

Limpopo, northern South Africa.

VALE MOZAMBIQUE has purchased an

I-Site 3D laser scanning system to conduct

end-of-month survey, as well as for mapping

coal geology using digital imaging at the

Moatize site in Mozambique.

MINESUITE

TATA IRON & STEEL COMPANYhas

selected MineSuite as the truck dispatch

system for their open cut operation, Quarry

SEB, at Ranchi, India.

Alberto Ramirez, Maptek, front left, with personnel

from El Chanate mine undertaking Vulcan training

Elton du Plessis, Maptek, left, with Hannes Henkel,

African Barrick Gold, at the Indaba show

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Maptek Forge Mar 11